Homeless Services

Homeless Services - McKinney-Vento Act

The McKinney-Vento Act is federal legislation that has been in effect since 1987 to support children and youth experiencing homelessness. The McKinney-Vento Act defines “homeless children and youth” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. The intent of the McKinney-Vento Act is to ensure that homeless children and youth enroll and succeed in school.

Students living in any of the following situations may be entitled to additional support:

Staying in an emergency/transitional shelter, or waiting for foster care placement

Doubled up with friends or relatives because of loss of housing or as a result of economic hardship

Living in a car, park, campground, public space, substandard housing (w/o running water or electricity)

In a motel/hotel due to loss of housing, economic hardship

Unaccompanied Youth/Runaway

In another location that is not appropriate for people such as an abandoned building

Students living in homeless situations have a right to:

Get help with enrolling in school from the district liaison or other school contacts to continue academic success

Continue in the school they attended (referred to as the school of origin) before they became homeless or the school they last attended, if that is the parent’s choice and is feasible

Get transportation to and from school of origin

Receive free school meals

Receive additional services such as ELL, Special Education, Title I, preschool, Elementary Advanced